Huge area in the Castilla-La Mancha region in east-central Spain, comprising the provinces of Albacete and Cuenca. It borders the DO La Man cha to the west, the DO Utiel-Requena to the north-east and the DO Jumilla to the south. The vineyards cover a total of. 75,000 hectares of vineyards. Of this, only 4,100 hectares were classified as DO in 2000, located between the Júcar and Cabriel river valleys. The predominant soil type is deep clay marl with limestone sediments. There is a dry continental climate with hot summers with plenty of sunshine and relatively cold winters. The red Bobal dominates throughout the region with 70% of the stock. Other authorised red varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cencibel (Tempranillo), Garnacha Tinta, Merlot, Monastrell, Moravia Dulce (Marufo) and Syrah. Authorised white varieties are Viura (Macabeo), which dominates with 90%, Albillo de Albacete, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
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